Description
- Originated from the small village of Welsum, in the Netherlands
- Mature weight is under 2.3 – 3.2kg
- Fast growing and maturing – first egg around 6-7 months
- Large – Extra large sized terracotta brown, speckled eggs, expected to lay around 200-250 per year.
- Broodiness – Low
- Maintenance – Low
Welsummer is a heritage chicken breed, known for its distinctive plumage and exceptional egg-laying abilities. Originating from the Netherlands, they are prized for their beautiful appearance brown eggs.
Silver Duckwing variety of Welsummer is characterized by its silver and black feathering pattern. The males typically have silver hackles and saddle feathers edged with black, while the females have a more subdued silver and black pattern overall. Hens are known to be consistent layers of large, dark brown eggs with rich yolks, making them a favorite among backyard poultry keepers and small-scale farmers.
They are friendly and docile in nature, making them suitable for both egg production and as family pets. They generally tolerate the Australian climate adequately, however providing sufficient shelter for shade during the hotter seasons is advisable. Within the pecking order, they typically rank somewhere in the middle to upper positions. They love foraging, which makes them great choice for free range environment.
We began our Welsummer journey with two different bloodlines. One line, in particular, matured very early and laid exceptionally large eggs compared to the other. However, by the end of 2024, we made the decision to cull this line for the well-being of our birds, as we found that their exceptional productivity was putting excessive strain on the hens’ bodies and affecting egg quality and their health. Our current line producer better shell quality, coloured eggs and much stronger birds.
Please see Welsummer – Open Poultry Standard Australia for more info and breed standards.
More info found on Breeds – Welsummer page
